TUCSON, Ariz. – Arizona soccer completed practice Tuesday night at Murphey Field at Mulcahy Stadium. The Wildcats continue to prepare for the Sun Devil Classic on Sept. 6-8 in Tempe, Ariz. Arizona will match up with Kansas on Fri., Sept. 6 at 4:30 p.m. and vs. Illinois on Sun., Sept. 8 at 11 a.m. Both matches will be played at Sun Devil Stadium.

“We’re excited to go up to Tempe on Friday and play against two really good opponents, Kansas and Illinois. We’re getting them ready to focus on what we want to do and how we want to attack the opposing teams.”

After the first games, what are you most impressed with?

“The girls’ effort, they are competitive and they fight and battle the entire game against good competition. To see them go on the road and take on a Top 25 team and fight the whole way through it was awesome.”’

Senior Shannon Heinzler:

What are the emotions of the team after the success so far this season?

“Happy. We have been working on confidence lately and it’s been coming out in our team. That’s something we really have been working on and it’s something we really needed to be successful. We go into every game like it’s the most important game of the season.”

How has your role on the team changed from last season?

“As a captain, I feel like I have more responsibilities. I’ve been doing the same things I did last season so it’s not really the title of being captain, it’s making sure I personally resemble every core value of the team.”

What difference do you notice from last year compared to this year?

“We have more structure this year and we definitely needed that. Our defending is so much better from last year. We’re not just defending the back line, everybody on the field is defending and that’s made a tremendous difference in the way we play.”

What do you hope to bring to the team this year?

“I hope to bring a positive attitude and keep everybody together and united. I want the team to stay consistent within our goals.“

Season tickets for the 2013 campaign are still available with at a rate of $50, including admission for all nine home games. Discounts on season tickets are available for any Arizona faculty/staff, active military, seniors (55+) and youth. Groups with 15 or more can purchase group tickets for $4 per ticket. For more information on ticket sales visit ArizonaWildcats.com or call 520-621-CATS.

For continued coverage of Arizona Wildcat women’s soccer, follow the team on Twitter @ArizonaWSoccer, at facebook.com/ArizonaWSoccer or visit ArizonaWildcats.com.